Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Romance Fantasy (4)
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I'd spent half my life in hospitals, battling an incurable disease, and my only solace was reading web novels.
The protagonists in those stories loved and were loved in my stead, living the ordinary yet extraordinary lives I'd always dreamed of.
I imagined myself in their place, letting their romances comfort me as if they were mine.
But every ending left me with an agonizing void.
So I prayed.
"God... please, in my next life, make me the protagonist of one of those novels."
Those were my final words before I died.
And then...
I really did enter a novel, just as I'd wished.
"Why Luina of all people?! Why are you taunting me like this?!"
I'd become not the heroine, but Luina Ober—the villainess doomed by an incurable illness.
Luina Ober.
The youngest daughter of a prestigious family, a girl with unrealistically stunning beauty.
She monopolized the male leads' affections, earning the envy of countless readers.
But she was just a fake protagonist.
The author must have grown tired of her, slapping on a terminal illness and a prickly personality to drive the men away.
Then came the "real" heroine, Aria Melts.
Naturally, the male leads all shifted their hearts to Aria.
Consumed by jealousy, Luina bullied Aria, only for the men to swoop in, protect Aria, and wound Luina in return.
Furious, Luina tried to get Aria expelled from the academy—but that backfired, and Luina was the one kicked out.
Her will to live shattered, Luina retreated to the boonies, suffering until her illness claimed her.
Watching her felt like watching myself, and it broke my heart.
I pitied her for losing everything and dying, saddled with the same fate as mine.
At first, readers cursed the author, but soon they turned on Luina—and it hurt like they were cursing me.
Then I became Luina.
And I learned the truth: God exists, and He delights in human suffering.
Please... just stop...
"Luina... I'll always protect you. I won't let you cry anymore. Just trust in me."
Liar. You'll leave me. You'll ignore everything I believe in.
"Well now... I'd heard the Ober family's youngest was a beauty, but I had no idea it was this much. Ahem! Might I have the honor of this dance?"
Liar. You'll abandon me. You won't even look my way.
"Don't get too close to the prince. It'll only hurt you. But... I get it. I see why he fancies you..."
Liar. You don't understand. You'll be the one to make me suffer.
"Your Highness, I had an escort appointment with her today. Yield."
"You should've arrived earlier, then. Keeping a lady waiting is no mark of a gentleman."
"While you two bicker, she's slipping away. The dance is about to start. Come on."
Please don't... don't make me hope like this...
Why are you being so good to me?
Why make me this happy?
How much more will you torment me?
How much more will you hurt me...?
"Luina... I like you. Ah, no, I don't expect an answer! I just... wanted to tell you. That's all. Goodbye!"
"Luina! I heard he confessed? Well, it made me realize... I like you too. Choose wisely. Though it'll be me in the end, of course."
"Luina Ober... I've heard the story. You'll make the smart choice—you're that kind of woman. But you didn't leave me off the list, right?"
Liars... why do you make it so hard for me?
Once she appears, you'll all vanish from my side.
That's... our fate...
I knew better, but I pretended not to.
For the first time in two lifetimes, happiness felt too good to pass up.
Being loved was pure bliss.
Every day brought butterflies, a racing heart, and smiles I couldn't hold back.
Even as I denied them inwardly, I couldn't refuse their sweetness.
Tricked by it, I indulged in foolish delusions.
'What if I entered an early draft of the novel? No illness, and Luina lives happily ever after.'
'Yeah, that must be it. It's already different from the original. Confessions before even enrolling at the academy!'
But it was just a sweet dream.
"...Elise Lyntz is dead, after all. I must go at once. Luina, sorry—head back without me tonight. Got it?"
"Dear, that poor girl... She had only happiness ahead. Why... God is so cruel."
Elise Lyntz had died.
Hearing the news, my head throbbed and my stomach churned.
I dropped my spoon; it clattered under the chair as I collapsed.
The day Elise Lyntz died held two meanings.
One: the awakening of the "witch."
And the other...
"Kyaaaaaaaah!!"
The day Luina Ober contracted her terminal illness.
Once more, I was living on borrowed time.
"Oh my... how can you be so beautiful? It's not the clothes with wings—you're the wings, Cecilia. Everything suits you."
Well, I am Father's daughter, after all. Only natural.
"Lia... this is... a bit dangerous. Dear, what if lovesick boys come charging at first sight?"
Don't worry, Father. The only man who can approach me is you.
Dressed in my gown, makeup done, preparations complete—everyone showered me with praise.
But Father's stunned reaction was the real highlight.
Heh heh, no more seeing me as just a little girl.
I could feel Father's heart pounding as he escorted me.
Ahh... he's so aware of me. How can I be this happy...?
Running off with Father for a romantic elopement would be perfect.
But that's just a dream, isn't it?
So now comes the important part.
I need to meet people and find her.
Father's bride-to-be.
That's what this social debut is for.
In short, the debutante ball was a smashing success.
Thanks to my godmother's support, no hostiles showed up.
And my beauty won over men and women alike.
A few got overly enthusiastic, but I made sure they'd never think of me again.
It annoyed me a bit, but I kept my cool as always.
Unfortunately, no luck finding Father's match.
Good looks meant low status; high status meant plain looks.
No one measured up to Luina Ober.
Father was clearly dazzled by her that day.
I almost got jealous, but I held back.
Luina Ober it is, then.
She'll satisfy Father in looks, lineage, talent—everything.
To make it happen, I need the academy.
Not thrilled, but for Father's—and my—happiness, no choice.
At least I'll see Father there.
Heh heh, can't wait.
I've finally enrolled!
The kingdom academy of my dreams—I'm here!
Days of glamour and joy await, right?
"Eek!"
Whoops! Too excited, I lost control and caused an accident.
Bumped right into a senior. What if he scolds me?
"Who the hell—?!"
Oh no, big trouble!
He looks furious!
Can't start my first day like this... Maybe Father was right; I should've stayed tucked away quietly...
"I'm sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going!"
I bowed and apologized over and over, and luckily, the senior forgave me!
"What, a freshman?"
"Y-Yes! I'm Aria Melts, enrolled today!"
"Hah... no words for this. Keep your head on straight from now on."
"Thank you!"
What a relief. Handsome and kind-hearted. My heart's fluttering. Is this love...? Heh heh!
Suppressing the butterflies, I headed to the dorms. My roommate's such a cute, pretty girl!
Lucky me!
"Heh heh, hello? I'm Cecilia Asil. Nice to meet you."
"Hello! I'm Aria Melts! Nice to meet you too!"
Cecilia seems great personality-wise too. That bright smile!
I should learn from her.
"By the way, Melts. Sorry to ask on first meeting, but could you take off your clothes?"
"W-What?! No?!"
Huh...? My roommate's a total perv?
Never expected that out of the gate...
"Hmm... impressive chest. I'm jealous. While you're at it, spread your legs too?"
"What are you even saying?!"
This is bad! Not just a perv—an extreme one!
What do I do? Tell the dorm supervisor...?
"Nice and clean. Hymen intact. Never masturbated, right?"
"Of course not! Wh-what? What did you just...?"
Wait... why am I naked?
Why am I spreading my privates for a total stranger...?
"Lineage's a tad lacking, but you're concubine material. Get dressed and forget this happened."
"Ahh... ugh..."
Me?
What?
What?
Huh?
"Heh heh, hello? I'm Cecilia Asil. Nice to meet you."
...Right, gotta greet my roommate.
"Hello! I'm Aria Melts! Nice to meet you too!"